The Lafayette Police Department and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration are investigating the death of a child found unresponsive at an unlicensed day care.
A 1-year old child was found unresponsive and not breathing at the home in the 1700 block of Shenandoah Drive.
The child was later pronounced dead at St. Elizabeth Hospital, according to police.
Marni Lemons, spokesperson for the Family and Social Services Administration said Thursday they are aware of the child’s death and they are investigating.
Numerous websites list a day care located at 1704 Shenandoah Drive called Kid Korner, however, the day care does not have a license with the Family and Social Services Administration.
Under state law, a day care can legally operate with five or fewer unrelated children as an unlicensed provider.
Lt. Brian Gossard said the day care where the child was found was unlicensed, but did not provide any information about the number of children at the home.
Child Protective Services is now involved in this case, Gossard said.
Call 6 Investigates was unable to reach the day care provider for comment Thursday.
The Tippecanoe County Coroner’s office is also working in cooperation with the police department.
The Family and Social Services Administration has previously taken action against unlicensed day cares, including one illegally operated by a woman convicted of drugging children in her care.
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FSSA has no authority to notify parents about disciplinary actions in an unlicensed day care, according to spokeswoman Marni Lemons in a 2014 interview with Call 6 Investigates.
“Unlicensed providers aren’t even required to keep records,” Lemons said.
If you would like to find out if a day care is licensed or not, go to the FSSA Carefinder website here.
If the provider is not listed, that could mean they are unlicensed and you should ask more questions.
If they are licensed, you should be able to view their inspection record.
You can also contact the Indiana Association for Child Care Resources and Referral at 1-800-299-1627 or here or email childcarehelp@iaccrr.org.
Child Care Answers can also be reached at 1-800- 272-2937 or here.
